ACF Home | Services | Working with ACF | Policy/Planning | About ACF | ACF News | HHS Home |
---|
Questions? | Privacy | Site Index | Contact Us | Download Reader | Print � |
---|
Connect:Direct APR 12 1996 DC 96-20 TO ALL STATE IV-D DIRECTORS RE: Implementation of Connect Direct Dear Colleague: I would like to inform you of a mainframe to mainframe data transfer capability currently available within your State and encourage its use to exchange data electronically between your State systems center and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) National Computer Center. This same data transfer procedure can also be used for automated interfaces with State agencies throughout the country for intra and interstate cases. This computer-to-computer connectivity is provided by Connect Direct (formally known as Network Data Mover (NDM)) to improve the speed and accuracy of data exchanges. The benefits of Connect Direct are numerous. The benefits that can be realized by using Connect Direct for child support enforcement applications alone are impressive and its application for other programs are equally beneficial. . Moves large volumes of data between two computers in a timely fashion, . Eliminates manual mailing and processing of tapes and cartridges including time-consuming manual data transfer tasks, . Reduces turnaround time by up to two weeks for mailing, . Allows for automation integration of data transfers and related computer applications, . Reduces data transfer errors -- no more unreadable tapes/cartridges, . Protects data against unauthorized system and file access, and . Saves time through simple implementation (about 6 hours). Attached are a brief explanation of Connect Direct (Attachment A) followed by instructions for implementing a Connect Direct interface to transfer data to the National Computer Center for Federal Parent Locator Service (Attachment B), and Tax Refund Offset and Project 1099 processing (Attachment C). If you have any questions, please contact Jim Eatmon at (202) 690-5794. Sincerely, David Gray Ross Deputy Director Office of Child Support Enforcement Enclosures cc: ACF Regional Administrators CSE Regional Program Managers ACF Assistant Regional Administrators State Parent Locator Supervisors State Tax Offset Coordinators State 1099 Coordinator ATTACHMENT A Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Information Systems (OIS) Division of Application Development Services (DADS) Connect:Direct / Network Data Mover -- an Overview What is Connect:Direct / Network Data Mover (NDM)? Connect:Direct is a computer-software product of Sterling Software Corporation in Reston, Virginia. Connect-Direct, formerly known as Network Data Mover (NDM), is used to move large volumes of data between two computer systems, it also "tackles the automation of all operations related to data transfer, security, auditability and reporting, and the support and connectivity issues created by multiple operating systems." [1994, Connect:Direct, Sterling Software] Copies of Connect:Direct have been purchased by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and distributed to central data site in each state and to select Federal agencies. SSA maintains and funds dedicated communications lines from each site to the SSA hub in Baltimore, Maryland. Who uses NDM? NDM is widely used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) as part of their File Transfer Management System (FTMS). SSA uses the Connect Direct product for data transfer to and from the 50 state departments of human resources. The Administration for Children and Families NCC data center is part of the SSA Direct Connect network as are other federal agencies including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). How does NDM operate? NDM makes use of dedicated communications data lines to "route" computer files from a remote mainframe to another mainframe within the NDM network. This process replaces file transfers currently being done through round tapes, tape cartridges, MITRON and a number of other time consuming and costly processes. NDM operates in more than one computer platform (e.g. IBM mainframes, AS/400, DEC VAX, Tandem, and Personal Computers). Two types of licenses are available for the NDM product: HUB and SPOKEs. A HUB licensed- product can directly communicate with other HUBS or SPOKES, while SPOKE licensed-products can only communicate directly to their HUB, which will "forward" the file to the intended destination. What are the benefits of NDM? Moves large volumes of data between two computers in a timely fashion. Eliminates manual mailing and processing of tapes and cartridges including time-consuming manual data transfer tasks. Cuts down turnaround time, including mailing, from 5 days to a couple of hours. Allows for automatic integration of data transfers and related computer applications. Reduces data transfer errors -- no more unreadable tapes/cartridges. Protects data against unauthorized system and file access. Saves time through simple implementation (4-to-8 hours max). How and where are the NDM licensed copies available? The NDM licensed copies are available on SSA's network as "Hub-nodes or Spoke-nodes". Initially, all state departments of human resources were provided with a SPOKE version of the product and states may upgrade to HUB versions at their own cost. SSA's network includes state and federal agencies which use NDM to transfer and manage their information electronically. How is ACF involved with NDM? ACF has joined SSA's network to have direct connections through the existing links in all 50 states. ACF has become another "node" in SSA's network and is presently using a hub-license copy of NDM. ACF is already exchanging data via NDM with IRS, SSA and some state child support offices. How does ACF plan to use NDM? ACF plans to use existing NDM links (already available at the state level) to advantageously eliminate all manual interventions involving mailing and processing of magnetic tapes and cartridges. Mitron tapes can also be replaced with NDM files. ACF strongly encourages state users to begin using NDM with all federal systems currently operated at ACF's National Computer Center (NCC). The first step is to contact directly the person at the federal office for the appropriate computer system (e.g. JOBS, FPLS, TAX OFFSET, 1099, etc). What is required to establish an NDM connection/link? To establish an NDM connection/link, it is required that the user have proper access to send or receive electronic files. File names, user Ids, and process instructions are among the minimum requirements to successfully transmit a file over the NDM links. For more details on these technicalities, please contact the appropriate federal person. Who are the contacts for ACF computer systems? Federal System Contact / Telephone Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS)Alvee P. Harrison / 202-690-6484 Jobs Stephen Lee / 202-690-7056 Tax Offset and 1099 SystemsStephen Lee / 202-690-7056 Enumeration Verification System (EVS)Alvee P. Harrison / 202-690-6484 Adoption and Foster Care (AFCARS)David Jenkins / 202-690-8053 ATTACHMENT B Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Division of Application Development Services (DADS) FEDERAL PARENT LOCATOR SERVICE (FPLS) -- TECHNICAL SUPPORT To: State Parent Locator Service Users From: Alvee P. Harrison (FPLS) Tel# (202) 690-6484 Fax# (202) 260-3305 INTERNET E-Mail: aharrison@acf.hhs.gov Subject: Electronic File Transfers Please complete and return the following FPLS-NDM form. We need this information to setup Electronic File Transfers (EFT) between the FPLS and your State System using Connect:Direct -- formerly known as Network Data Mover (NDM). We suggest you read all the material prior to completing the FPLS-NDM form. If you have any questions, please give us a call or send us an e-mail message over the INTERNET. Upon reading the attached material and completing the FPLS-NDM form, if you determine that your State system has a HUB connection, we will ask you to provide the additional information: Networking Contact, Phone Number, VTAM Net-ID, VTAM C:D ApplID, and VTAM Host CDRM. For now, it may be that all you need to do is to complete the FPLS-NDM form. When you decide what your dataset names are going to be (for sending and receiving), be sure to include one unique dataset qualifier along with your state-station -- see form attached. If you do not have a state-station already setup, please contact Joan O'Connor at (202) 401-9268. Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS) -- Technical Support FPLS-NDM (Connect:Direct) FORM FaxBack To:Alvee P. Harrison Fax# (202) 260-3305 From:___________________________________State: ___________ Subject: FPLS-NDM Form Please complete the following and return via FAX (see above) Node Name: _____________________________________ Type: ___________ (Spoke/Hub) State NDM Contact: ___________________________________ Tel: ____________________________ Fax: ____________________________ INTERNET E-Mail: ____________________________ State PLS Program Contact: __________________________ Tel: ____________________________ Fax: ____________________________ INTERNET E-Mail: ____________________________ State PLS Technical Contact: ________________________ Tel: ____________________________ Fax: ____________________________ INTERNET E-Mail: ____________________________ NDM/Connect:Direct from State to FPLS (1) to submit cases to FPLS, please provide: Dataset name from State system: ______________________________________ LRECL=335NDM/Connect:Direct from FPLS to State (1) to receive LOCATE RESPONSES from FPLS, please provide: Dataset name for State file: _________________________________________ LRECL=462 (At least one qualifier must be RESPxy where xy = state-station) Unit: ________ VOL=SER= ________ Disp: _______ (2) to receive REJECTED cases from FPLS, please provide: Dataset name for State file: _________________________________________LRECL=335 (At least one qualifier must be REJxy where xy = state-station) Unit: ________ VOL=SER= ________ Disp: ________ ATTACHMENT C Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Division of Application Development Services (DADS) TAX REFUND OFFSET SYSTEM (TROS) AND 1099 - TECHNICAL SUPPORT To: State TROS and 1099 Users From:Stephen N. Lee Tel. (202) 690-7056 Fax. (202) 260-3305 INTERNET Email: slee@acf.hhs.gov Subject: Electronic File Transfers Please complete and return the TROS-NDM or the 1099-NDM forms. We need this information to setup Electronic File Transfers (EFT) between the TROS or 1099 and your State System using Connect:Direct formally known as Network Data Mover (NDM). Please read all the material prior to completing the form. If you have any questions, please give us a call or send an E-Mail message over the INTERNET. Upon reading the attached material and completing the NDM form, if you determine that your State system has a HUB connection, we will ask you to provide the additional information: Networking Contact, Phone Number, VTAM Net-ID, VTAM C:D ApplID, and VTAM Host CDRM. For now, it may be that all you need to do is complete NDM form. Tax Refund Offset System (TROS) -- Technical Support TROS-NDM (Connect:Direct) FORM To: Steve Lee Fax#:(202) 260-3305 Email: slee@acf.hhs.gov From:_______________________________________State:____________ Subject: TROS-NDM Form Please complete the following and return via FAX (see above). State TROS Tech Contact: ________________________________________________ Tel: ____________________ Fax: ____________________ Internet e-mail:________________________________________________ State NDM Contact: ________________________________________________ Tel: ____________________ Fax: ____________________ Internet e-mail:________________________________________________ NDM/Connect:Direct from State to TROS (1) Annual Submittals - See OCSE AT, exhibit B Dataset name from State system:____________________________________ (2) Phase I/II Update - See OCSE AT, exhibit N Dataset name from State system:____________________________________ (3) Pre-Offset Contact Address - See OCSE AT, exhibit D Dataset name from State system:____________________________________ Tax Refund Offset System (TROS) -- Technical Support TROS-NDM (Connect:Direct) FORM NDM/Connect:Direct from TROS to State (1) Annual Submission - See OCSE AT, exhibit H Dataset name from State system:____________________________________ Disp:__________Unit:__________VOL=SER= ____________ (2)Phase I Update Return - See OCSE AT, exhibit Dataset name from State system:____________________________________ Disp:__________Unit:__________VOL=SER= ____________ (3) Phase II Update Return - See OCSE AT, exhibit Dataset name from State system:____________________________________ Disp:__________Unit:__________VOL=SER= ____________ (4) Monthly Collections - See OCSE AT, exhibit L Dataset name from State system:____________________________________ Disp:__________Unit:__________VOL=SER= ____________ (5) Unaccountables - See OCSE AT, exhibit K Dataset name from State system:____________________________________ Disp:__________Unit:__________VOL=SER= ____________ (6) Annual Certification - See OCSE AT, exhibit J Dataset name from State system:____________________________________ Disp:__________Unit:__________VOL=SER= ____________ (7) Obligor's Address - See OCSE AT, exhibit P Dataset name from State system:____________________________________ Disp:__________Unit:__________VOL=SER= ____________ Project 1099 (TNN) -- Technical Support TNN-NDM (Connect:Direct) FORM To: Steve Lee Fax#:(202) 260-3305 Email: slee@acf.hhs.gov From: _______________________________________State:____________ Subject: TNN-NDM Form Please complete the following and return via FAX (see above). State TNN Tech Contact:________________________________________________ Tel: ____________________ Fax: ____________________ Internet e-mail:________________________________________________ State NDM Contact: ________________________________________________ Tel: ____________________ Fax: ____________________ Internet e-mail:________________________________________________ NDM/Connect:Direct from State to TNN (1) Monthly Requests Dataset name from State system:____________________________________ NDM/Connect:Direct from TNN to State (1) Monthly Response File Dataset name from State system:____________________________________ Disp:__________Unit:__________VOL=SER= ____________
Download FREE Adobe Acrobat® Reader™ to view PDF files located on this site.
OCSE Home
|
Press Room
|
Events Calendar
|
Publications
|
Systems:
FPLS
|
FIDM
|
State and Tribal
|
State Profiles
Resources:
Grants Information
|
Información en Español
|
International
|
Federal/State Topic Search (NECSRS)
|
Tribal
|
Virtual Trainer's Library